Irish Women Are Flying #HomeToVote

Irish People Are Sharing Photos Of Their Journey #HomeToVote In The Abortion Referendum

With less than a day to go until Ireland's historic referendum on whether or not to repeal the country's Eighth Amendment, which gives a woman and a foetus equal right to life and effectively outlaws abortion, emotions are running high on both sides of the argument.

The stakes are high and in recent days Irish people have been travelling home from all over the world to cast their votes, taking to social media to document their journeys and reasoning via the #HomeToVote hashtag.

People planning on voting to repeal the amendment have been particularly vocal in sharing their accounts, with many travelling halfway across the world to make their voices heard. They're travelling from as far afield as Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Bali, Queensland, Sydney, Tokyo, Costa Rica, Bangkok and Hanoi.

Boarding a 13 hour flight from Buenos Aires to London. London to Dublin tomorrow. No one at airport knows what my repeal jumper means. No one here knows why I'm travelling. If this feels isolating for me, can't imagine how lonely it must be 4 her, travelling 2 the UK #HomeToVote

Was actually so humbled and relieved to meet four other Irish people on the flight from Buenos Aires to London, all of them flying onwards to Dublin today or tomorrow to #voteyes. #hometovote#together4yes

Just starting my journey #hometovote from Sweden. All I can think of is the 10-12 women who are nervously awaiting their bus/train/flight to get to their appointment. For women in a crisis, today is a day like no other. Time for care and compassion in Ireland. Time for change.

This is the station in Haaltert, East Flanders, Belgium. The starting point of my journey #hometovote. How did I end up here a year ago? How did I end up in the Clane of Belgium? After so many years of complaining about commuting to Dublin? Blame Tinder/Love/Tall Belgian Men. pic.twitter.com/6BFuHInMhL

Some shared tales of the financial sacrifice they and their loved ones were making to #VoteYes, but many said it paled in comparison to the cost many Irish women (until only recently) have had to pay – in some cases up to £2,000 – to access abortion services at private clinics in England.

My lovely son is coming #hometovote. This poor student used his birthday money to buy plane ticket home. Just messaged me "we will get you to the Emerald City on Friday" ❤️ He will #voteyes with his Dad. For his sister, his Mum & women of Ireland #togetherforyes@Men4Yes

The flight tomorrow nearly cost me an arm and a leg but to think that 9 women have to pay that amount and more on a daily basis makes every cent worth it, that’s why I’m coming #hometovote to Repeal and hope to God no-one has to be forced out of Ireland again.

The mass migration back to Ireland to repeal the amendment mirrors the trip many made to vote in the country's 2015 referendum that legalised same-sex marriage.

Just collected eldest son from Dublin Airport. In 2015 Ireland gave him his right - the right to get married. On Friday he’ll return the favour and vote to give women the right to make decisions about their own bodies. #Together4Yes#hometovote#soproud

3 years ago #hometovote started and I was in Canada, homesick & heartbroken to not be able to vote in the marriage ref. I'm home now though, registered, and ready to repeal the shite out of the 8th! Fair play to everyone making their way home ❤️ #RepealTheEighth#TogetherForYes

Stupidly early for my flight so getting lost in the #hometovote threads. People traveling (sometimes literally) halfway across the world to support #TogetherForYes (and marriage equality before that) is just the most wonderful expression of how loving Ireland really is.

I am incredibly proud to live in Ireland during the historic changes it is undergoing. We are the first country ever to approve gay marriage via nationwide #referendum We will make history once again tomorrow. And no matter what you decide, make sure you #VOTE#hometovotepic.twitter.com/CbkMLbt4Kd

During the Marriage Equality ref, the #HometoVote tweets for repeal filled me with so much happiness and love at the end of the referendum that was emotionally draining in the extreme. 3 years later, ye feckers have me all emotional again #TogetherForYes#sobsobsob

If Yes prevails in the vote, the results of which will be announced late Friday evening and into Saturday morning, Ireland's proposed abortion bill will allow abortions up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy. In the event of a No vote, the country's strict abortion laws will remain in place.